General Asylum: REVIEW: Yuin PK-2 Headphones by BillyL

Model:	PK-2
Category:	Headphones
Suggested Retail Price:	$79.00
Description:	Ear Bud
Manufacturer URL:	Yuin
Model Picture:	View

Review by BillyL on January 09, 2010 at 12:32:07
IP Address: 24.193.142.199 Add Your Review
for the PK-2

Wanting to upgrade my apple ipod ear buds, I looked at Ultimate Ears' ear phones, but dismissed them because they need to be jammed (literally) into the ear canal, for a good seal. I discovered Yuin Acoustic ear buds on the internet (HeadFi.com). They are a small Chinese company, with little market share in the U.S. After reading many positive reviews, I bit the bullet and bought a pair. The price was within my budget of <$100.

The PK-2's packaging design is done in classic chinese styling. Particularly the storage can, which looks like a can of tea. Out of the box, these ear buds look like something you might get on a plane flight to hear the on-flight movie. Not much to look at and a little disconcerting, considering, I just paid $79 for these things. They come with 3 pairs of ear pads, 2 pairs of doughnut style soft foam pads and 1 pair of standard soft foam pads, along with a 1/4" â€”> 3/8" adapter.

On first hearing, the PK-2's are more sensitive then Apple ear buds, they were noticeably louder. They were also much clearer and had a wider soundstage. compared to Apple ear buds, it was as if a sonic veil was lifted. I was very impressed. I then proceeded to burn in the ear buds. I connected the PK-2 to my ipod and played them for 6 hours a day, for 7 days, with out listening to them. Burn in was very beneficial to the PK-2's.

I'm not very good at making subjective audio descriptions, so, I'll just tell you what I hear. I'm now able to understand Bob Dylan's words now. It's as if he is now enunciating more clearly. I can now discern the back up singer more clearly, even identify them, sometimes. Occasionally, I can hear the guitar strings squeek when the player changes cords. Every once in a while, I can hear the singer take a breath, which I never noticed with my Apple ear buds. The bass levels are better on the Pk-2 than the Apple. It's good clean bass, not over powering bass thump. I can now tell the difference between an average bass player and a craftsman on the bass guitar. If you're a bass fan, I would suggest that you audition Yuin's PK-3 or OK-3.

Subjectively, I'll say that the PK-2's are very clear and musical, not analytical. While, I don't think that the PK-2's are the best ear buds made, I think that they are a great value for $79.00. Yuin makes other ear buds, which are suppose to sound better, but for a price. For my budget, taste and what I want to spend for portable music, I love my PK-2's. The only downside to the PK-2's is that, now I'm going to have to buy new ipod with more capacity, to use uncompressed files. The PK-2's are too good for MP3 files.

Product Weakness:	weak warranty, 90 days.
Product Strengths:	Clear sound for low price

Associated Equipment for this Review:

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Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): .
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Music Used (Genre/Selections): .
Room Size (LxWxH): . x . x .
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Time Period/Length of Audition: .
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): .
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner
Your System (if other than home audition): .

Amplifier:	.
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	.
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	.
Speakers:	.
Cables/Interconnects:	.
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	.
Room Size (LxWxH):	. x . x .
Room Comments/Treatments:	.
Time Period/Length of Audition:	.
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	.
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner
Your System (if other than home audition):	.